“Clint Eastwood has been a conservative icon for years,” Stewart said on “The Daily Show” on Wednesday. “Oscar’s already awarded him with Best Director [‘Unforgiven’] and Best Picture [‘Unforgiven,’ ‘Million Dollar Baby’] during that time.”

Stewart called out Fox News for dedicating several segments to the movie’s failure to beat “Birdman” for Best Picture, and showed a clip of “Clueless” actress Stacey Dash lamenting that Eastwood’s presence at the 2012 Republican National Convention was “probably” to blame for the movie’s loss.

“The left-wing loons in Hollywood made the f–king movie in the first place, and nominated it for Best Picture. Fine. Hollywood didn’t give Best Picture to ‘American Sniper,’ so they must hate America. No. They didn’t even give Best Picture to the best picture,” Stewart said while the poster for Richard Linklater‘s “Boyhood” appeared over his shoulder.

“For God’s sakes, if Oscar nominations were based on liberal street cred,” Stewart continued as he tearily flashed his directorial debut, “Rosewater,” on screen. “You can stream it on iTunes and it’s available on Blu-ray. It’s an excellent St. Patrick’s Day gift.”

Stewart’s comments about “American Sniper” were part of a larger rant against conservative media’s tendency to “discredit anything that they believe harms their side,” especially “The Daily Show.”

JEFFREY ROSSDubbed Comedy Central's Roastmaster General, Jeffrey Ross is one of the wittiest stand-up comedians around. He's best known for his stinging insults, but the 49-year-old is intelligent enough to dish on a daily dose of news.

AZIZ ANSARIHe's young, charming and has a huge following. Comedy Central has aired several of his stand-up specials, but would they give the "Parks and Recreation" star a chance behind the anchor desk?

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JOHN MULANEYThe "Saturday Night Live" veteran is a prolific stand-up comedian as well as the star and creator of his own Fox sitcom, appropriately titled "Mulaney."

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LEWIS BLACKThe veteran standup has been delivering his own uniquely aggressive brand of news on "The Daily Show" for even longer than Stewart. His bold, abrasive recurring segment "Back in Black" originated in 1996 when Craig Kilborn hosted the program.

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JOEL MCHALEMcHale has been "The Soup's" hilarious host since 2004, so he certainly has the chops for a satirical series. But his E! show airs weekly, making "The Daily Show" a decidedly more demanding commitment for the busy actor, who also stars on "Community."

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CRAIG KILBORNCraig Kilborn hosted "The Daily Show's" first three years before Jon Stewart was even a twinkle in Comedy Central's eye -- who's to say he couldn't retake the reins? Sadly, sources tell TheWrap it's not in the cards.

Comedy Central

PAUL F. TOMPKINSCould Tompkins be "The Daily Show's" first ever mustachioed news anchor? His resume includes topical comedy shows like "Real Time With Bill Maher," "Best Week Ever" and "Comedy Bang! Bang!" and he also has his own critically adored podcast, "The Pod F. Tompkast."

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DANIEL TOSHBetween "Tosh.0" and "Brickleberry," it's clear Comedy Central and Daniel Tosh have a good working relationship. But is the controversial comedian up to tackling daily news?

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CHELSEA HANDLERThe late night landscape is pretty devoid of a female presence right now, but maybe Comedy Central will take a close look at Handler, who finished her run on E!'s "Chelsea Lately" in August.

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CRAIG FERGUSONCraig Ferguson ended his nine-year run behind the desk at CBS's "Late Late Show" in December, so there's a good chance he's available. But is he willing to step back into the treacherous waters of late night so soon?

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BRIAN WILLIAMSWhy not Williams? The NBC News anchor was suspended for six months just minutes after Stewart dropped the bomb. Maybe he wants to try satire?

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Following the Comedy Central host’s announced departure on Tuesday’s episode, TheWrap offers up its recommendations to fill the satirist’s seat